International Foundation Courses
These are designed for international students, whose school leaving qualifications gained in their home country are not sufficient for direct entry to a British university. Our Foundation Courses were originally developed with the University of Nottingham over 15 years ago, and are still moderated by the University today.The International Foundation Programmes are available at 3 points throughout the year in up to 6 subjects. Our forthcoming intakes are:
| January 2015 2½ terms | January 2015 5 terms | May 2015 4 terms | September 2015 3 terms |
| Start: 8 January 2015 Finish: 14 August 2015 |
Start: 8 January 2015 Finish: 8 July 2016 |
Start: 11 May 2015 Finish: 8 July 2016 |
Start: 7 September 2015 Finish: 8 July 2016 |
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What you will study and how you can progress
The modules you will study on each Foundation Course are detailed below, along with some ideas on the type of undergraduate degree you might progress to on completion:
| Foundation Course | The Core Programme | Subject-specific modules | Degrees you might progress to |
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Accounting |
All students will study the following compulsory classes:
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Accounting; Maths; Economics; IT | Accounting and Finance Banking and Finance Accounting, Auditing and Finance |
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Architecture |
Physics; Maths; Art; History of Art | Architecture Architecture and Environmental Design |
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Business |
Finance; Marketing; Maths; Economics | Business Finance Marketing Management |
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Management & Economics |
Economics; Management & Finance; Maths; Computer Science | Pure Economics Industrial Economics Management Studies Operations Management |
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Engineering |
Physics; Maths; Chemistry | Civil Engineering Automotive Engineering Aerospace Engineering Electrical or Electronic Engineering |
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Science |
Biology; Chemistry; Maths | Pharmacy Genetics Biological Sciences Nutrition |
All classes are taught between the hours of 9.00am and 5.00pm from Monday to Friday during term time. Please refer to the ‘Term dates for International Students’ for details of holidays when there are no classes. In addition to scheduled holidays there will be 3-4 Staff Training Days when there will be no classes, but work will be set or social activities scheduled.
There are usually up to15 students in each class, but this can go up to 20 for more popular courses, e.g. Business.
Entry requirements – Academic
As a guide, you will usually need to have completed Year 12 of high school with good a good overall grade and high grades in Maths and other relevant subjects (e.g. for Engineering you would need high grades in Physics and Chemistry). Please contact the International Office to find out the exact grades required from your country.
Students applying for Architecture are required to submit a portfolio as part of their application – please click on the document below for full details of what should be included in the portfolio. Please include and clearly label all specified items – incomplete portfolios will not be accepted.
Architecture Portfolio Information
Entry requirements – English Language
You will also need an English Language qualification recognised by UK Visas & Immigration as a Secure English Language Test (e.g. IELTS; Pearson PTE). The entry requirements in terms of IELTS are:
| January 2015 2½ terms | January 2015 5 terms | May 2015 4 terms | September 2015 3 terms |
| For Accounting; Architecture; Business; Engineering; Science: | |||
| IELTS 5.5 overall, with no less than 5.5 in Reading and Writing, 5.0 in Listening and 4.5 in Speaking | IELTS 4.0 with no less than 4.0 in all elements | IELTS 4.5 overall with no less than 4.0 in any element. | IELTS 5.0 overall, with no less than 5.0 in Reading and Writing, 4.5 in Listening and Speaking |
| For Economics & Management only: | |||
| IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 6.0 in Reading and Writing, 5.5 in Listening and 5.0 in Speaking | IELTS 4.5 with no less than 4.0 in all elements | IELTS 5.0 with no less than 4.5 in all elements | IELTS 5.5 overall, with no less than 5.5 in Reading and Writing, 5.0 in Listening and 4.5 in Speaking |
Students applying for Architecture are required to submit a portfolio as part of their application – please click on the document below for full details of what should be included in the portfolio.
Architecture Portfolio Information
Assessment and grading
Assessment is on-going throughout the course, through a combination of coursework and examinations. At the end of the course you will receive a grade as an overall percentage, which is categorised as Pass, Merit or Distinction (60% + is a Distinction). Most of the highly ranked universities such as the University of Nottingham will require a Distinction for progression to their degree programmes.
The College also holds 2 IELTS Tests per year, which usually take place in February and May. Students can enter for either, or both, of these tests for an additional examination fee of approximately £145 per test.